Tuesday, May 26, 2015

Great post today from Nick Gibbens who was in the studio with Bob Ezrin and Tommy Harden & his 1.5 Steel--4 x 15. Second snare is one from the always amazing Joyful Noise. Thanks Again for this Nick...

Thursday, May 21, 2015

To update several stories from a couple of weeks ago: I am starting to post the videos from live performances of Rodger Carter and his 1.5 Steel--8 x 15 , and Jules Radino with his 1.5 Steel--4 x 15. I just added several, and there will be more that will go up of live songs, and clips from sound check. Thank You both....GREAT stuff~!

One of Europe's busiest and leading talents, Achim Faerber (Eisbrecher, Project Pitchfork, Prag) is as active and busy as always. German electronic music artists Automat, one of the many projects he is involved in, is set to release their third album in less than two years on May 29th-PlusMinus. They are also gearing up for a tour of Australia later this year in addition to performing throughout Europe. Achim is also on tour with the mighty Eisbrecher this Summer. Congrats Achim. Absolutely...You are one of the busiest players I know. PlusMinus will mark the sixth release in the last 6 months for you if I have my math correct. Thank You for using the 1.5 Steel--5.5 x 14 on the new Automat record and live with the band, with Prag in the studio and live, and exclusively with Project Pitchfork live. Look forward to your thoughts on your 1.5 Steel--6.5 x 13 this Summer.

Last pic is Achim in the famed Candybomber Studio in Berlin. He just recorded another album with Danny Dziuk for a 2015 Fall release, and used the 1.5 Steel--5.5 x 14 on the entire album. Link below is an excellent article and review of Automat's PlusMinus, and an audio of one of the tracks...

Beier Drums are now available at one of the top dealers in this country- Drum Center Of Portsmouth. In stock now is the Beier 1.5 Steel--5.5 x 15. Special Thanks to Shane Kinney on making Beier Drums part of his "Wall Of Snares". Please do visit his website, and the shop when your in the area. It is an amazing and dazzling display of specialty & custom drums. Looking forward to working you guys....

Friday, May 15, 2015

Was at The Arcada Theater in St. Charles, Illinois several weeks ago for Blue Oyster Cult. Jules Radino was using his Beier 1.5 Steel--4 x 15 live, and it was a fun night. I have seen Blue Oyster Cult many times, and they are always great. Something about this night where they just lit it up...The whole band. It is always interesting to watch an audience from the side of the stage. In this case...Every single person in that audience was moving and lovin this show.

The 4 x 15 met with huge approval from Jules, Woody from the FOH, techs, & quite literally everyone. This drum is heavy on Mids, and has a great Bottom. Jules is an exceptional talent, and his opinion means a lot to me on drums. I have some excellent clips which are going up next week. One is a webcam of the live show from the side of his kit. Thank You Jules.

Special Thanks as well to Roy Nichol from April Wine. I appreciate you taking time out, and enjoyed our drum talk...

Thursday, May 14, 2015

UFO just completed the second link of their European Tour to support their new release "Conspiracy Of Stars". They will be back in Europe on June 26th to start another short run, and be back in the Fall for a lengthy one. UFO fans are among some of the most loyal in Rock, and the band is top form as always. They truly sound amazing, and their live show is as great as ever.

I also just completed coating a Beier 1.5 Steel--6.5 x 15 for Andy to take along on this last run. This one was in Gloss White, and from the initial feedback from Andy & the techs...It is going over really well. Link below to clips from live shows, and several pics of Andy's live gear: Three Beier Snare Drums that he uses exclusively, and has for quite some time.

Special Thank You to Robb Philpotts & Eric Holshouser for all of the pics and clips. And also Kate...I appreciate your quick communication-Always! Links below for live clips....

Was great to see my friend, and consummate player-Jamo Van De Bogert yesterday. He picked up which is the first 1.5 Steel--5.5 x 15 in Gloss White This is also the first one in this size I have used Tube Lugs on. I have made many of these drums in this size as well, but always in Textured Black. Initial feedback from him was a major thumbs up, which of course...I was delighted to hear. He also has had a 1.5 Steel--5.5 x 14 which has been his go-to for quite some time. Jamo has been involved in the music industry for quite some time, and has worked and performed with many different acts. He had a long run working and performing with Greg Allman, even sharing the stage with Greg & Eric Clapton one performance. When off the road, Jamo also functions as the VP-Rock Central School in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Tx my friend. Looking forward to all of your future feedback, and doing some video clips...

Wanted to re post the link to one of the best articles I have read in some time. Bob Campbell did this piece on Johnny Craviotto. He is, without a doubt, one of the great drum company stories since the days of Niles. It is a story of old-school diligence, and hard work. The article discusses Adrian Kircher as well, who I consider, and many others do as well...To be the finest metal drum maker in the world. I really appreciate the correspondence Adrian. I will stop for sure when I am back in Europe. Great job on this article Bob.....

"You have to make your own shells to qualify as a drum maker in my book. Guys who make their own shells can look at themselves in the mirror and say, 'Yeah, I make drums, I am a drum maker'. It's got to start with the foundation, like a house, it's got to be the shell. Everything else is just basically assembly"....Johhny Craviotto